Is Your Jewelry Box Worth a Small Fortune

 Is your jewelry box worth a small fortune?

The contents of your jewelry box can be lucrative, but only if you know what you are looking for and what to do with it.  

For anyone with an interest in antiques, browsing through yard sales or thrift stores can lead you to a real bargain that has lucrative potential.

The same can be said about the contents of your jewelry box, but only if you know what you are looking for and what to do with it. 

The value of gold, silver, and precious stones is all over the place, so what you may think is trash could actually be a small treasure.

Look for the Hallmarks

Whenever you buy a piece of jewelry or if you are examining your current stash, look for any hallmarks that could tell of the manufacture or other details.

Markings are usually located on the inside of a bracelet band, the inside of the ring, or on the claps of a necklace.

On earrings, the post often houses the information through it may small and hard to read without a magnifying glass. 

The hallmark may have worn off if the piece is old or well-used, but most quality pieces come with either the designer, country of origin, or manufacturer.

Gold hallmarks often include 18K, 14K, 10K, 375, 585, or 750.

These markings are important if you want the top gold prices from a scrap buyer.

Check the Weight

Whatever the items markings may be, it is important that you check the weight of the piece.

This is especially true for estimating the values of bangles or chains.

Compare the weights between similar length chains but with different thicknesses.

If a thick gold chain is lighter than a smaller gold chain, it could be that the larger chain is simply plated with gold, it’s fake gold, or it is hollow gold.

You can also feel a chain to determine the legitimacy of the item.

Solid gold is smooth, consistent in texture and weight, and heavy.

Closely examine the length of the chain or the bangle.

If you can see dark coloring or silver showing through on different parts, the chain is probably just gold plated.

Inspect the Setting

Fine jewelry uses prongs to set stones in place, but costume and cheap jewelry often have stones glued into place.

Fine jewelry will have excellent craftsmanship, with an intricate bezel or prong setting.

The stones will be clear and clean, further adding to the value of the piece.

You can turn the contents of your jewelry box into extra cash if you find a buyer offering top gold prices or you can hang onto grandma’s brooch and ring a little longer.

You never know what kind of gold mine you might be sitting on.

It just might be, your that the contents of your jewelry box worth a small fortune.